Cross country: No give up for Lady Oilers

By L. SCOTT HAINLINE, CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT |
October 26, 2011

L. SCOTT HAINLINE: FOR THE CHRONICLE
LEADING THE PACK: Pearland senior Virginia Ney, in front, and her Lady Oiler teammates will be looking for another region berth at the 2011 District 24-5A Cross Country Meet at Miramar Park in Seabrook.

What's at stake: Top three teams and 10 individuals in each varsity division (girls and boys) advance to regionals

There's no giving up among the Pearland Lady Oilers even while they try to chase down 24-5A cross country powerhouse Clear Lake.

"We're always going after Clear Lake because they are the pinnacle in our area and district when it comes to cross country programs," Pearland girls coach Roni Burren said. "We're always aiming for a district championship even though Clear Lake has won a large number in a row (15), and we tell every one of our runners to try and get in front of a Clear Lake runner because that's the only way we're going to beat them.

"We're definitely a top-three team in 24-5A, and we can get second (place) for sure if we take care of what we need to do, and I look for Clear Lake, us and Clear Springs as the favorites to get out of district."

The 24-5A Meet is Thursday, Oct. 27, with the varsity girls starting the event at 9 a.m. and the varsity boys going off at 9:30 a.m. at Miramar Park in Seabrook.

The top three teams and 10 individuals in each varsity division (girls and boys) advance from district to regionals, and Pearland will compete against host Clear Lake, along with Clear Springs, Clear Brook, Clear Creek, Brazoswood, Alvin and Dickinson.

Following the graduation of four-year standout Courtney Mose, seniors Virginai Ney and Amanda Maniet have taken over as the Lady Oilers' top runners, with senior Lucille Little, junior Kathlyn Lee and sophomore Aaron Simmons also among the team's consistent leaders.

"We've missed Courtney's leadership and practice pacing a little more than we thought we would, and we've changed up our practices a little bit," Burren said. "We've learned to race a little more than in the past, and with kind of a young team, that's important."

"Paddock came from track and has really done a good job," Burren said, "and I can see her being one of our best next year."

The Pearland girls finished second in 24-5A with 66 points behind Clear Lake's perfect team score of 15 and in front of Clear Springs' 84 last year.

"Clear Springs is getting better and better, and their coach, Astin Haggerty, does a great job," Burren said, "and we're all still going after Clear Lake, and hopefully in some ways, making up some group here and there."

"It was our Homecoming last week, so we gave the girls a little time off to enjoy it," Burren said. "We knew they wanted to be on campus that day, and now we're ready to go for another trip to regionals."

The Pearland boys, who placed sixth in 24-5A last season, are also set to compete at the district meet.

The Class 5A Region III Championship is Nov. 5 at Atascocita High School and the UIL State Meet is Nov. 12 in Round Rock.